Police have arrested two men after several video clips showing them beating beggars at the Komtar Tower in Penang, which also houses the chief minister's office, with a rotan (cane) went viral on social media.
Timur Laut district police chief Soffian Santong said the suspects had also assaulted the man who recorded the videos. The man later filed a police report.
"The victim said he recorded the video using a cellphone at about 2pm on Oct 6, when he saw the two men beating a beggar using a rotan in front of Maybank at the Komtar building.
"When the suspects realised he was filming them, they beat him with the rotan multiple times, causing injuries to his back, right elbow and left calf.
"Investigations revealed that the suspects had frequently hit beggars or homeless people who were at the location," Soffian added in a statement.
He said the two suspects, aged 43 and 27, worked as “cleaning service supervisors”. One of them had two previous criminal records.
"Both suspects have been remanded for two days. We have completed the investigation and will submit the investigation papers to the deputy public prosecutor for further instructions," Soffian added.
One of the videos referred to the suspects as “mafia Komtar” while another showed a disabled person who was bleeding from the head (above) as a result of the alleged assault.
The incident also drew condemnation from former minister Rafidah Aziz, who said individuals and businesses should not take matters into their own hands.
"There must be clear procedures and codes of conduct for internal misdemeanours or violations within an organisation or business entity.
"(While) for cases involving others outside of the organisation, like in the case of the destitute and the disabled seeking shelter at the Komtar premises, there must also be clear guidance to those in charge on how to deal with such issues," Rafidah told Malaysiakini.
She said the matter involving the presence of beggars and homeless people should have been referred to the Welfare Department instead.
"It cannot be condoned for anyone to use heavy-handed tactics, especially in dealing with those who are in need of help.
“There must be that requisite element of humanity in dealing with the underprivileged,” Rafidah added. - Mkini
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